updated 06:20 pm EDT, Wed June 11, 2008

iBar venue using Surface

Microsoft and Harrah's Operating Company on Wednesday announced the first deployment of the former company's surface technology at the iBar in the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. The move represents the first official setup located in an entertainment scenario, having already been deployed at AT&T stores as interactive product demonstration centers. The Surfaces include a number of custom-designed applications for patrons to use, as well as a few Microsoft-supplied apps, customized for the lounge.

"People continue to be excited about the endless possibilities of Surface technology and how it can transform everyday scenarios, including the social and entertainment space," said Pete Thompson, general manager for Microsoft Surface. "With this latest deployment of Surface, we're now bringing some of those possibilities to life and showcasing the breadth of opportunities Microsoft Surface provides to innovative businesses like Harrah's."

The Flirt application allows users to meet others sitting at Surfaces throughout the lounge, with video chatting and picture functionality as well. Mixologists inspires users to create and order their own cocktails for themselves or other guests, while Hip-notic can be used to look up online videos to share with friends.

Harrah's Head Games offers patrons several entertainment titles such as High Roller bowling, Dissed multiplayer pinball, and Last Call musical memory game, complete with leaderboards.

The customized Surfaces will also allow patrons to take tours of both Harrah's Las Vegas locales, as well virtual guided tours of the city itself.

I'm sure it's great in person, but the photo and description seem to indicate something possible with a conventional touchscreen. This hardly seems more interactive than a "traditional" megatouch system.